Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

अपां योनिः स्मृतः स्वाम्भः सेतुर्नाम विभाव्यते धिष्ण्य आहरणा ह्येते सोमेनेज्यन्त वै द्विजैः //

Transliteration

apāṃ yoniḥ smṛtaḥ svāmbhaḥ seturnāma vibhāvyate dhiṣṇya āharaṇā hyete somenejyanta vai dvijaiḥ //

Translation

“Svāmbha” is remembered as the womb and source of the waters; it is also understood by the name “Setu.” These are the dhishṇyas (ritual stations) and the āharaṇas (the bringing and arranging of implements) by which the twice-born perform worship through the Soma-sacrifice.

Word by Word

• अपाम् (apām): of waters

• योनिः (yoniḥ): womb, source, origin

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is traditionally remembered/known

• स्वाम्भः (svāmbhaḥ): Svāmbha (a technical ritual/ground term

• सेतुः (setuḥ): setu, embankment/causeway

• नाम (nāma): by name

• विभाव्यते (vibhāvyate): is conceived/understood/recognized

• धिष्ण्याः (dhiṣṇyāḥ): ritual hearths/stations (sacrificial seats/altars)

• आहरणाः (āharaṇāḥ): bringings/fetching arrangements

• हि (hi): indeed

• एते (ete): these

• सोमेन (somena): by/with Soma

• इज्यन्ते (ijyante): are worshipped/performed as sacrifice

• वै (vai): indeed

• द्विजैः (dvijaiḥ): by the twice-born (Brahmins/initiated classes).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a didactic ritual/technical passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Dvija (twice-born)

Tags

• Soma Yajna
• Vedic Ritual
• Dhiṣṇya
• Yajna-Vedi
• Matsya Purana Vastuvidya

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a technical ritual passage defining names and functions connected with Soma-sacrifice stations and arrangements (dhiṣṇya/āharaṇa), using imagery like “source of waters” and “setu.”

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct performance and patronage of Vedic rites: the verse frames proper Soma-yajña procedure as an orthodox act carried out by dvijas, which a righteous king or householder traditionally supports through resources, space, and adherence to ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights ritual-architecture vocabulary: dhiṣṇya (designated sacrificial stations/hearths) and āharaṇa (arrangements/implements for bringing and placing ritual materials), and it notes that these are integral to Soma worship—useful for reconstructing yajña-vedi layout and procedural terminology in the Matsya Purana.